Georgia's Parliament Passes Law Restricting LGBTQ Rights

17 Sep 2024

Georgian lawmakers have passed the third and final reading of a "family values and protection of minors" law, introducing significant restrictions on LGBTQ rights.

The bill, approved on Tuesday, provides legal grounds for banning Pride events, public displays of the LGBTQ rainbow flag, and enforces censorship of certain films and books. It also prohibits gender transition, adoption by gay and transgender individuals, and nullifies same-sex marriages performed abroad within Georgian territory.

In a vote boycotted by the opposition, ruling party members from Georgian Dream unanimously passed the bill with an 84-0 vote, along with related amendments to several other laws.

Leaders of Georgian Dream argue the law is necessary to protect "traditional moral standards," reflecting the influence of Georgia's conservative Orthodox Church.

Tamara Jakeli, director of Tbilisi Pride, warned the bill, which also reaffirms a ban on same-sex marriage and gender reassignment surgery, could force her organization to shut down.